NOTL athletes were out in force over the course of a scorching hot weekend to participate in the Niagara-on-the-Lake Tennis Club’s women's and men’s doubles tournaments.

“It was a long game and it was so hot. So winning was a relief more than anything,” said Sonja Schindeler, one half of the duo who won the women's A division final.

Schindeler and partner Fran Doran ended their hard-fought, extended match with a tiebreaker win over Kendra Osa and Kathy Goodin.

“Kendra is amazing. She’s got such a great future ahead of her. She made us feel our age,” Schindeler said.

“Together, they were a formidable team.”

The tournament displayed the wide age range of the club's members, from teenage players like Osa to octogenarians.

Tennis has been an important part of Niagara-on-the-Lakes summer, giving players a physical outlet from stay-at-home orders.

“Tennis has been my saving grace and I’m sure I speak for many tennis players when I say that,” Doran said in an interview.

The club provides social connection as much as physical exercise for the pandemic-weary.

“It’s an amazing club, very social and very friendly. It’s kind of our friendship network,” Doran said.

“The best part (of the club) is the people you meet over the years,” said mixed doubles and men’s doubles co-champion John Pilling.

“Couldn’t ask for a better experience or club to play at.”

The tourney wraps up club competitions for the season, except for the women's Grape & Wine Tournament in September.